Scale the heights or just take in the spectacular scenery on these 9 must-try fall hikes

Autumn is the best season for hiking. Air temps and humidity have dipped, our energy levels have risen and, of course, the leaves are blazing shades of yellow, red and orange. With help from Steven Tartas, a Westchester resident and longtime leader of hikes in the Lower Hudson Valley, we compiled a list of terrific trails, with at least one trek for every skill level. If leaf-peeping is part of your agenda, let the New York’s 2015 fall foliage report guide you. Find it at iloveny.com/fall. You might even want to invest in a traditional hiking stick. Tartas says they promote physical balance and take pressure off knees and legs.

Teatown Lake Reservation

What to expect: Teatown’s 15 miles of hiking trails range from easy/novice to moderately difficult, and they pass by lakes, wildlife, waterfalls, swamps, forests and meadows. Teatown's 15th trail,the 2.3-mile Twin Lakes, opened a few months ago and wanders along two lakes, farm fields and challenging terrain. It includes an overlook to the Hudson Highlands from Teatown’s highest point.

Good to know: The trails can be hiked in sneakers. Teatown also offers indoor and outdoor nature programs for kids and adults almost every weekend. The Nature Center has trail maps for purchase, live animal exhibits, a Nature Store and revolving art exhibits. Most programs are $7 per person. The trails connect to the Briarcliff Peekskill Trailway and the Croton Aqueduct Trail.

What to expect: The 7.5-mile Hook Mountain/Nyack Beach Bikeway runs from Nyack to Haverstraw Beach State Park. It’s easy, follows the edge of the Hudson and accommodates bikes, walkers and hikers. An upward hill along the way will take you to the Long Path hiking route — a 7-mile route between Hook Mountain Rockland Lake. It’s a moderate-to-difficult path that follows the ridge above the Hudson and offers vantage points to see Manhattan, the Tappan Zee Bridge, and up and down the river. Three connecting paths to the Long Path — one each at the north, south and middle points of the Hook’s façade — allow for circular hikes of varying lengths.

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Donald Trischetta of New City walks along the Hook Mountain/Nyack Beach State Park along the Hudson River.(Photo: Seth Harrison/The Journal News)

Good to know: Afraid of getting lost? Download the Avenza smartphone app at nynjtc.org/pdfmaps. It works on GPS satellites and doesn’t need Wi-Fi after the maps are loaded. Order ($8.95) a five-map set (it’s waterproof, tear-resistant and digitally produced!) of the Hudson Palisades Trails at 201-512-9348 or nynjtc.org/category/catalog/maps. Hiking boots/shoes are recommended.

Go: For the Long Path, park for free at the end of Landing Hill Road, off of Rockland Lake Road; there’s a parking fee during the on season. At Nyack Beach State Park, 698 N. Broadway, Nyack: $6 on weekends off season; $6 daily on season. For general local questions: 845-268-3020. For trail questions: the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, 201-512-9348, Ext. 16; nynjtc.org/park/hook-mountain-state-park.

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People walk along the Hook Mountain/Nyack Beach State Park along the Hudson River.(Photo: Seth Harrison/The Journal News)

Blue Mountain Reservation

What to expect: The park has a complex network of trails, few intersections are marked by signposts and no numbers are evident at most intersections! So a park map is essential before taking on the reservation’s 1,538 acres. Get one for free at the park office or from the parking attendant when on duty, or download one at parks.westchestergov.com/images/stories/pdfs/bluemtn_map_2015.pdf. Challenge your expertise and stamina by making it to the top of Mount Spitzenberg or Blue Mountain. If a leisurely pace is more your style, the 5-mile Loop Trail is ranked easy to moderate, includes two viewpoints of the Hudson and passes a beautiful pond. Bonus: The 12-mile Briarcliff-Peekskill Trailway is an unpaved hiking trail and accessible from the Blue Mountain trail system.

Good to know: Blue Mountain’s trails are best for ages 9 and up, and hiking shoes/boots aren’t imperative. Mountain bikes are allowed on nearly all of its trails, so be aware of who’s coming and going on two wheels, especially on weekends and if your (leashed) dog is with you.

Go: $5 per person with County Park Pass, $10 without Memorial Day through Labor Day and only weekends offseason. 45 Welcher Ave., Peekskill. 8 a.m. to dusk daily. 914-862-5275, parks.westchestergov.com/blue-mountain-reservation.

What to expect: Gorgeous fall foliage in three states is visible from the top. Start the 4-plus-mile hike by walking westward on the road immediately adjacent to the south side of the Bear Mountain Inn, towards the woods and mountains behind it. At the edge of the woods (an intersection), get on the Major Welch Trail. Blazes (white circles with red dots in them painted on trees) will head off to the right and take you up to Perkins Tower. The blazes become less frequent as you approach the top. The marker (the top three blazes in a downward-facing triangle formation) that signals the end of the Major Welch trail, an entry to the Appalachian Trail and the way back to the Bear Mountain Inn is opposite the front door of the Tower. Hiking times are about two-and-a-half hours for an individual and more than three-and-a-half hours for a group. Its challenging hill, 1100-foot-plus altitude gain and some rock scrambling rank it a medium in difficulty.

Good to know: This trek isn’t for beginners or those ages 12 and under. Hiking boots or shoes are a must. Perkins Memorial Drive and Tower are open from April through late November, weather permitting. There’s no need to duck behind a bush when nature calls: The tower has portable toilets. Park in the main parking field, just after the parking toll booth as close to the Bear Mountain Inn as you can.

A view from the Appalachian Trail in Highland Falls. The Appalachian Trail opened 90 years ago in Bear Mountain State Park.(Photo: File photo Joe Larese/For the Journal News)

Rockefeller State Park Preserve What to expect: The preserve’s 1,400 acres is part of the Rockefeller family estate in Pocantico Hills. Its most notable feature is the system of historic carriage roads that wind through rivers, lakes, woodlands, streams, meadows and fields. Trail maps that include descriptions of the carriage roads’ distances and grades are available at the Preserve Office.

Good to know: The preserve is terrific for beginners, and sneakers or walking shoes are fine. Stop into the Gallery (across from the Visitor Center), whose rotating exhibits feature works from local artists. The Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture — the not-for-profit farm and educational center — and its Blue Hill restaurant are within walking distance. The preserve’s 180 species of birds make it super for spotting our fine feathered friends.

What to expect: There’s plenty of room to roam in this 14,086-acre park, which stretches from Putnam into Dutchess. The trails vary in length and physical demands, but the majority are fine for kids. The paths boast views, waterfalls, and historic features such as the remains of the Denny Mine and stone foundations of several buildings from John Allen’s homestead. Fahnestock is one of our area’s lesser known hiking destinations, so there will be fewer people around to cramp your style.

Good to know: Fahnestock has many entry points. Our recommendation: Get a map at the visitors center off of Route 301; it will help you decide which are best for you. The Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine, runs through Fahnestock. You might be able to snag some tips from some of those hardcore hikers. Fahnestock also holds the Taconic Outdoor Education Center, which presents terrific environmental programs. The nature center houses a variety of displays and touch boxes, while the park staff holds weekend hikes and craft activities. Leashed canine companions allowed.

Anthony’s NoseWhat to expect: Running parallel to the Hudson River, the Camp Smith Trail to Anthony’s Nose offers stunning views. It’s not a hike for beginners or even some intermediates. Its rocky granite paths are filled with steep ascents and descents, and the top is 927 feet above sea level. The sprawling clearings on this state-owned land boast some of the best vantage points of the Hudson Valley. At each view area, you’ll learn about local history from information extricated from Jane and Walt Daniels, the authors of the book “Walkable Westchester” and members of the NY-NJ Trail Conference.

Good to know: Vigorous hikers will complete the 2.6-mile trek in about 2½ hours. There’s no cell service at the meeting site. Hiking shoes or hiking boots are imperative, and each person should bring at least a two liters of water. The trail isn’t suitable for ages 12 and under.

Go: 11 Bear Mountain Road, Town of Cortlandt. From the east side of the Bear Mountain Bridge, go north on Route 9D and park on the river side just north of the bridge, in front of the “End 9D” sign. Beware of fast-moving cars when exiting your vehicle. 845-225-7207.

Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

What to expect: At 4,315 acres, Westchester’s largest park has plenty of room to roam. You’ll find historic features — Indian Rock Shelter, Raven Rocks, Dancing Rock and Bear Rock — and amazing views on all the trails. The hikes range from easy (great for kids!) to intermediate. Maps are available on the website, while directions and pamphlets are available in the Trailside Nature Museum, which hosts family-oriented nature interpretive programs nearly every weekend. You needn’t starve: Picnic tables (bring your own vittles) and shaded areas are located throughout the property.

Good to know: Give your pooch a great day out, as dogs on leashes are allowed! Make a weekend out of it by hiking on Saturday, camp out in lean-tos there that night and continue to explore the trails on Sunday. Hiking boots are recommended but not mandatory; bring your own water.

This 2010 photograph shows a portion of the Walkway Over the Hudson in Highland surrounded by trees displaying a range of dazzling autumn colors.(Photo: File photo by Spencer Ainsley/Poughkeepsie Journal)

Walkway Over the Hudson

What to expect: On a sunny day, the center of this old (built 1873-1888 and used until 1974) abandoned railroad bridge-turned-pedestrian park offers spectacular views of the Hudson River Valley. This pavement-and-concrete hike is for all ages. Storyboards along the way explain the history of the bridge and surrounding area.

Good to know: On the west side it directly links to the Hudson Valley Rail Trail in Ulster County, and on the east side to the Dutchess County Rail Trail. Both are for pedestrians and bicyclists only. It’s the longest (1.28 miles) elevated (212 feet tall) pedestrian bridge in the world. Dogs must be on a short leash; no smoking or alcohol.